Is Difficult an Adjective?

Yes, “difficult” is an adjective that is used to describe something that is not easy to do, understand, or manage, requiring significant effort, skill, or planning to accomplish successfully. The word “difficult” can be employed in various contexts, including describing tasks or situations, people or their behavior, and conditions or circumstances.

Grammatical Specification of “Difficult” as an Adjective

Predicate Adjective

The adjective “difficult” can function as a predicate adjective, which means it can describe the subject of a sentence. For example, in the sentence “It is exceedingly difficult to ascertain precisely what is meant by the word ‘culture’,” the word “difficult” is a predicate adjective that describes the subject “it.”

Linking Verb

In sentences where “difficult” is used with a linking verb like “is,” it connects the subject to additional information. For example, in the sentence “It is difficult to read your writing,” the word “difficult” is used with the linking verb “is” to provide more information about the subject “it.”

Contexts in which “Difficult” is Used as an Adjective

Describing Tasks or Situations

The adjective “difficult” can be used to describe tasks or situations that are not easy to accomplish or understand. For instance, the sentence “The competition judges were given a very difficult task” uses “difficult” to describe the task faced by the competition judges. Similarly, the sentence “It is difficult to understand who this book is aimed at” employs “difficult” to characterize the task of understanding the target audience of the book.

Describing People or Their Behavior

The adjective “difficult” can also be used to describe people or their behavior. For example, the phrase “a difficult child” uses “difficult” to describe the child’s behavior, which may be challenging to manage or deal with. Likewise, the sentence “She finds it very difficult to get up early” utilizes “difficult” to characterize the person’s behavior of finding it challenging to wake up early.

Describing Conditions or Circumstances

The adjective “difficult” can be employed to describe conditions or circumstances that are not easy to navigate or overcome. For instance, the phrase “difficult conditions/circumstances” uses “difficult” to characterize the challenging nature of the prevailing conditions or circumstances. Similarly, the sentence “The next few months were quite difficult” employs “difficult” to describe the challenging nature of the upcoming period.

Examples of “Difficult” Used as an Adjective

Here are some additional examples of “difficult” used as an adjective:

• “The exam questions were quite difficult.”
• “I found myself in a difficult situation.”
• “We were asked lots of difficult questions.”
• “The project manager faced a difficult decision.”
• “The terrain was extremely difficult to navigate.”
• “The language barrier made the task even more difficult.”
• “The patient’s condition was proving to be quite difficult to treat.”
• “The financial constraints made the project much more difficult to complete.”
• “The complex legal issues made the case a difficult one to resolve.”
• “The unexpected challenges made the problem increasingly difficult to solve.”

Conclusion

In summary, “difficult” is an adjective that is used to describe something that is not easy to do, understand, or manage, requiring significant effort, skill, or planning to accomplish successfully. The word “difficult” can be employed in various contexts, including describing tasks or situations, people or their behavior, and conditions or circumstances. Understanding the grammatical specification of “difficult” as a predicate adjective and a word used with linking verbs can help writers and speakers use the term effectively in their communication.

References

1. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/difficult
2. https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/157596/what-part-of-speech-is-difficult
3. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/difficult
4. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/difficult